Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Sixty percent less landfill waste then cans!!! Imagine the difference we all could make by shopping for Tetra Pak Cartons verses cans. This time of year we tend to spend more money at the grocery store, and more time in our kitchens preparing holiday feasts. If everyone made one small change, such as purchasing Carton Smart groceries instead of regular canned groceries, we could make a huge impact on our environment. Become Carton Smart, why you ask, well Carton Smart items are packaged in boxes that are 70% paper, paper made from trees that are selectively harvested and regrown, making them a renewable resource. Paper is also 100% recyclable! Tetra Pak Cartons are also 1/3 less packaging material compared to cans!!! Tetra Pak carton packages are designed for maximum efficiency, taking up less space in our grocery carts and pantries, as well as our landfills. By purchasing items packaged in boxes instead of cans, we will be able to become more environmentally friendly this holiday season. Not to mention food packaged In Tetra Pak Cartons tastes better, and is more nutritious, without the use of preservatives. No need for difficult can openers anymore, opening and storing cartons are easy. They even refold shut, for storing leftovers.

This holiday season, Tetra Pak wants to inspire people to make small, smart decisions when cooking for their families and stocking their pantries. Tetra Pak through Social Spark, sent me a starter kit from Pacific Foods. Pacific Foods is a brand committed to doing the right thing for you, for the environment, and for their employees. The holiday cooking kit came with Pacific Foods Organic Pumpkin Puree, Pacific Foods Organic Jellied Cranberry Sauce, and Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Simply Stock. These three items are pantry essential items at the holidays. Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete in our house without cranberry sauce or homemade pumpkin pie. Chicken stock is perfect for making gravy, and as a substitute for water in your stuffing/dressing, mashed potatoes, and other savory side dishes. With holiday season upon us, what are your your favorite go-to holiday dishes? Pumpkin pie is a favorite in our home, and it's easy to swap canned pumpkin puree with Pacific Foods Pumpkin Puree. You may head to pacificfood.com or visit becartonsmart.com for inspiration, and links to where you can find more carton products. Please Tweet @CartonSmart, and spread the word, 60% less landfill waste! Are you addicted to Pinterest like me, then you will want to Follow #CartonSmart on Pinterest. I think you will be surprised by how many amazing food products for your holiday meals you can find in a carton?

Speaking of holiday meals, I have a recipe for dressing up that typical cranberry loaf. It's also a great recipe for using up leftover cranberries. It could be served as a sweet side dish, or a dessert. If serving it as a dessert, I would recommend topping it with fresh whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream. It was inspired by the recipe found on the back side of Pacific Foods Cranberry Sauce.

Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees. Butter a rectangular glass cake pan. Mix all of your ingredients together except the cranberry sauce and blueberries. Press half of your crumble mixture into your baking dish. Top evenly with your cranberry sauce and blueberries. Top with your remaining crumble mixture. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Optional, garnish with more fresh orange zest. Serve as a warm sweet side dish. If serving as a dessert, top with fresh whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream. Store leftovers covered in fridge.

TIP: Since this crumble is baked at 350 F degrees, you can bake it with your pumpkin pie. Both of these Thanksgiving dishes were made possible with Carton Smart products. Did I mention how good my house smells right now?

My husband has never liked tart cranberries, but since this dish has sweet blueberries in it too, he gobbled it right up. It will be our little secret it had nutritious cranberries in it.

How can you be CartonSmart this holiday season? I hope this post has given you lots of great ideas.